Sulphur Springs Mayor John Sellers is also known as one of the foremost experts on the city's history. He regularly conducts history walks as a fund raiser for the Downtown Business Association. The next of these will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, October 14. Reservations can be made by calling 903-885-8523 or by sending an email to the mayor at jsellers1@verizon.net. Mayor Sellers also discusses the new Gerald Prim Stadium, home of the Sulphur Springs Wil

Commerce Mayor Wyman Williams comments on the meetings beginning today (July 10) with Ian Lockwood and other representatives of the Toole Design Group. Lockwood is the primary designer behind the revitalization of downtown Sulphur Springs. Public meetings are scheduled at 6:30 p. m.

Emily Glass, who has now relinquished the title of Sulphur Springs mayor to John Sellers, says the city has undertaken a new comprehensive plan, building on the success of the city's revitalized downtown, known as "Celebration Plaza." The original planner of the downtown project, Ian Lockwood of Toole Design, recently returned to help formulate the 20-year comprehensive plan.

Commerce Mayor Wyman Williams says the city has a deal with Toole Design and Ian Lockwood, the person behind the revitalization of downtown Sulphur Springs. Lockwood and his team will be in Commerce July 10-13 and August 7-10 to meet with citizens and to formulate a comprehensive plan for the city. Texas A&M University-Commerce is participating in the effort. On another topic, the city is looking for a finance director to replace Brady Olson, who has left for another position.

Sulphur Springs community development director Tory Niewiadomski says the planner behind the revitalization of downtown Sulphur Springs, Ian Lockwood of Toole Design, will return to the city this week to help the city plan further improvements. A welcome dinner takes place from 5:30-7:30 tonight (Monday, May 22) at the Hopkins County Civic Center. On Tuesday, Lockwood will meet with community organizations before an open session with the public from 4-7 p.m. at City Hall. He'll give a preliminary report on his findings at 7 p.m.

Sulphur Springs Mayor Emily Glass says the Hopkins County Courthouse has recently received a new exterior lighting system that lets the courthouse be lit in colors appropriate to the holiday, such as red and green for Christmas or red, white and blue for the Fourth of July.

Emily reports Sulphur Springs has been hit by "skimmers" at local gasoline pumps, illegal devices that steal credit-card information. She offers tips for avoiding being a victim.

Sulphur Springs Mayor Emily Glass discusses the recent ground breaking for a new industry in Sulphur Springs, Armorock Polymer Concrete Structures, which will eventually employ about 60 people. Sulphur Springs also recently celebrated the opening of a new Starbuck's cafe on I-30. And the city is engaged in a$1.8 million renovation of its wastewater treatment plant.

Sulphur Springs Mayor Emily Glass says the city recently won the "Spirit" award for cities with populations of 25,000 and under from the Texas Municipal League. The award was in recognition of the city's redevelopment of its downtown area as "Celebration Plaza." The mayor says a community singing event, "One," takes place in Celebration Plaza at 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon (September 19). It's designed to be an event promoting unity.

Sulphur Springs Mayor Emily Glass says the city council has approved a comprehensive master plan that extends the successful approach in the downtown area through the rest of the city. She says the plan will beautify the city and make it more "walkable." The city has also adopted new stricter food-service regulations.

Our Sulphur Springs books commentator, Sharon Feldt, says she avoided reading Harper Lee's "Go Set A Watchman" for over a year because she didn't want it to affect her image of Atticus Finch, the hero of Lee's novel, "To Kill A Mockingbird." But, now that the controversy has faded, Sharon says she's glad she read "Watchman," and thinks it stands on its own as a great novel.

Sulphur Springs Mayor Emily Glass discusses the new super-charging stations for Tesla electric cars located in the city's downtown area. She says she's been surprised how many Tesla drivers stop to recharge their cars there. Also, the City Council is planning on significant pay raises for police and fire fighters.